NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for the 26th annual Gili Awards, which will be presented on Thursday 26 May.

The purpose of the TAFE NSW Gili Awards is to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal students; the contribution and dedication of TAFE NSW staff, and the outcomes of TAFE NSW engagement with industry, schools and Aboriginal communities. 

The annual Awards ceremony celebrates and recognizes the achievements of Aboriginal TAFE NSW students, staff and programs that have positively contributed to Aboriginal communities.

This year's Awards ceremony coincides with the 19th annual National Sorry Day. National Reconciliation Week kicks off the following day and runs through to 3 June.

These occasions mark the anniversaries of significant historical events for Aboriginal people in Australia, remembering the Stolen Generations on 26 May, the defining 1967 referendum on 27 May and the landmark Mabo decision on 3 June, through which we recognise and promote our ongoing commitment to Reconciliation in Australia, which paves the way for the accomplishments of Aboriginal people today. TAFE NSW is extremely proud to showcase some of the remarkable achievements in Aboriginal vocational education and training every year at the Gili Awards.

The Gili Awards recognise excellence in the following Award categories:

Student Awards

• Encouragement Award
• Achievement Award
• Award for Academic Excellence
• Apprentice of the Year
• Trainee of the Year
• TAFE Delivered Vocational Education and Training Award (Schools).

Staff Awards

• Staff Award Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
• Bruce Kendall Award for recognition of service to TAFE NSW.

Institute Awards

• Industry Partnership Award
• Community Engagement Award
• Youth Engagement Award
• Award for Institute Innovation

If you would like to nominate someone for a Gili Award you can download a nomination package here.

A promotional poster is also available for download

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, 25 March, 2016. The Awards Ceremony will be hosted by TAFE Strategy and Finance  and held on Thursday, 26 May, 2016.

Pictured: Award winners and staff of New England Institute at the 2016 TAFE NSW Gili Awards